City Announces Full Lineup of Events for 2017 Jazz Festival

The City of Jacksonville is excited to release the full entertainment lineup and schedule for the 2017 Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The free annual festival will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 25 – 28, in the core of Downtown Jacksonville.

“As one of the biggest jazz showcase events in the nation, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival strengthens our city’s reputation as a premier destination for art, culture, and entertainment,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “We attract thousands of people – near and far – with this signature event hosted in our beautiful and thriving downtown.”

The festival kicks off Thursday, May 25 at The Florida Theatre with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection Piano & Organs. Hosted by Courtney Lewis, music director for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the competition features five finalists chosen by a blind panel of judges. They will compete for a cash prize and a chance to perform on the main stage at this year’s festival. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the competition will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase through the theatre box office or online at Floridatheatre.com.

The festival will open to patrons on Friday, May 26 at 4 p.m. with performances beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at midnight. On Saturday, May 27, the festival will open at 1 p.m. with performances beginning at 2 p.m. and ending at midnight. The final day of the festival, Sunday, May 28, will open at 1 p.m. with performances beginning at 2 p.m. and ending at 11 p.m.

The free festival will feature three stages of entertainment Friday through Sunday. The Swingin’ Stage, presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, is the main stage and will be located at the corner of Main and Adams streets. Audiences can enjoy artists including Lucky Chops, Joey Alexander, Kamasi Washington and GRAMMY® Award winners Gregory Porter, Chick Corea Trio, and The Commodores.

The Groovin’ Stage presented by Aetna, will be located in Hemming Park, featuring The Rippingtons, and GRAMMY® Award winners Jane Monheit, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Lalah Hathaway, and more!

The Breezin’ Stage will be located at The Jacksonville Landing with performances by The Katz Downstairz, Eric Carter, Marcus Anderson and more. For the full schedule of performances visit http://jacksonvillejazzfest.com/schedule/.

Other festival activities include: the Jazz Jam presented by HOT99.5 with the Kelly/Scott Quintet, the Jazz Clinic with Elio Piedra, Jazzmeia Horn, and Eric Carter, the Omni Sacred Jazz Brunch featuring the Noel Freidline Quartet with vocalist Maria Howell, the Second Line Jazz Parade presented by V101.5, the Jazz Marketplace and the Official Jazz Store. In addition, Jazz After Dark will be returning from Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at numerous locations throughout the First Coast.

The festival is free and open to the public unless otherwise listed. Attendees are able to enhance their festival experience with all-new enhanced VIP package options. Information regarding festival details, VIP packages, and more can be found at JaxJazzFest.com.